FCP X looks to be a big leap
Posted by DocumentaryTech on April 16, 2011 · 2 Comments
Final Cut Pro X is getting previewed at NAB this week, with a release date set for June.
HD Warrior got some information, and shots, saying,
“Apple this evening provided a “sneak peek” at the next version of Final Cut Pro – now called “Final Cut Pro X” at the NAB SuperMeet in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The new Final Cut Pro is a bold move – a totally redesigned interface, 64-bit memory addressing, multi-processor support, tight integration of metadata in the project file with metadata stored in the clip not just in the project, heavy use of automation to simplify tedious tasks, and a rethinking of the entire concept of what it means to edit.
I can’t think of any other company that could so totally redefine what a non-linear video editor is than Apple. Since the release of Final Cut Pro 1, each version of FCP has contained incremental improvements. This is a complete restatement at every possible level.
He continues:
Based on tonight’s presentation several long-standing irritants with Final Cut Pro disappear:
* Rendering is now in the background and much faster because it harnesses the power of the GPU.
* The 4 GB memory limit is gone – FCP will use as much RAM as you have installed on your system.
* FCP X now uses all the processors on your system, not just one and a half.In addition, a flock of new features were added:
* It supports editing video image sizes from standard definition up to 4K.
* It uses fewer tools from the Tool palette (which is no longer there, by the way) by making the cursor smarter. WHERE you click something determines WHAT you can do with it.
* A lot of existing features are jazzed up (linking and grouping are replaced by the much more elegant Clip Connection and Compound Clips)
* While new features like the magnetic timeline, permanent audio sync and auto-metadata generation are flat-out stunning.
You state, “I can’t think of any other company that could so totally redefine what a non-linear video editor is than Apple.”, yet; you do NOT mention anything that is a ‘Redefinition of an NLE’.
Notables: (all of which have been in other NLE’s for years)
* Totally Redesigned Dark Interface
* 64 Bit Memory Addressing
* Multiprocessor Support
* Background/GPU Rendering
* 4GB Ram Limit Surpassed
* SD to 4K Resolution Support
Maybe some of the other newly added features are what you speak of? Sounds as if this article is reciting mere hear-say, product literature, & marketing hype as no one has used and posted an honest review of FCPx at this point. All we’ve seen is the very limited bit that Apple has allowed us to see. Most of the “New Features” for FCPx are “Old Features” for the many other NLE’s or are just feature adaptations from iMovie.
I am optimistic that the deliverance of FCPx will be awesome yet I’m trying to stay realistic in my expectations as well. After all, everything Apple says is in FCPx is already mainframe features of other NLE’s. No doubt fanboys will jump on the wagon and praise Apple/FCPx no matter what but so far it all sounds a bit lackluster.
Actually, I quoted HDWarrior as saying that, but your points make sense. Thanks for writing…